Sims Brake Services Ltd Dunedin Autospectacular
IT’S back! The Sims Brake Services Ltd Dunedin Autospectacular has returned after a two year absence due to the pandemic.
Again it will be held inside the massive Edgar Centre on
Portsmouth Drive, this Saturday September 10, from 9am4pm.
Over 40 vehicle and motorcycle clubs will be on display, along with individual entries, trade and parts sites, and also company vehicles belonging to the organisers’ generous sponsors. Without their support the show would not happen.
There will be some special displays with some car makers having anniversaries in 2021 and 2022, including 100 years of the Alvis Car and Engineering Company, which was founded in 1919, and the first of their cars built in 1921.
The company was merged with Rover and then British Leyland, which seemed to put the nail in the coffin for the marque. The last Alvis branded car rolled off the production line in 1967, while the Armoured Vehicle Division continued for a few more years.
In 2009 Red Triangle, a company specialising in Alvis parts bought all the assets and resumed operations manufacturing parts to service and restore historic cars.
Another celebration is the 80 years of Jeep, an iconic and recognisable 4x4 which had its beginnings in 1940 when the US War Department put out for tender a contract to build light weight offroad vehicles. The American Bantam Car Manufacturing Company, along with WillysOverland, answered the call.
As more vehicles were needed Ford were approached to boost production. Nearly 640,000 Jeeps were built by Willys and Ford during WW2, while Bantam built the trailers for them. The Jeep brand has been owned by many manufacturers including Kaiser Manufacturing Company, American Motors (AMC), Renault, Chrysler Corporation, Daimler AG, and is now under the control of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
The Triumph Motor Company notched up 90 years in 2021 also, along with the Triumph TR4 which is 60 years old, and this year the Spitfire and Vitesse also celebrate their 60th.
Though Triumph had its roots way back in 1885 with its trade in bicycles, it wasn’t until 1920 when the Motor Company was formed, and the first car was produced in 1923. The company was bought out by Leyland motors in 1960, which was part of British Leyland who had Rover and Jaguar at the time. The last badged Triumph to be built was the Acclaim in 1984.
New Zealand assembled Triumphs initially started in Christchurch but in 1965 the new British Leyland plant opened in Nelson, with the Mk1 2000 being the first car, followed by the Mk2 2000 and 2500, until production ceased in 1979.
The Triumph TR range was built from 1961 until 1981 overseas, with the TR4 being designed by Giovanni Michelotti, who also had design input in the Ferrari, Lancia, and Maserati makes.
Triumph cars have a proud racing history around the world, and many Dunedin residents will remember the TRs, Dolomites, and Vitesse on the Street Circuit many years ago.
Other car brands celebrating milestones this year include Jaguar, Opel, Lada, Austin, Cortina, and Triumph Motorcycles, which celebrate 120 years. All these will be on display along with pre1985 Japanese cars, hot rods, race cars, as well as the massive collection of exotic vehicles organised by Tony Devereux from the South Pacific Packard Club.
The Sims Brake Services Ltd Dunedin Autospectacular is coorganised by the Otago Classic Motoring Club Inc. along with the Otago Falcon and Fairlane Club Inc. If you would like to join one of these clubs or any of the other clubs on display then just approach one of their members — you will be more than welcomed.
There are 10 trophies to be awarded for various categories, along with Peoples’ Choice, Best in Show, and Best Club Display.
For children at the show there is free facepainting, balloon creations, and at 1pm there will be a magic show — and for the sweet tooth there will be candy floss available to purchase.
Doors open at 9am and finish at 4pm, with prices being $10 for adults, children 513 $2, underfives free, and a family of two adults/two children $20. Pay by cash or Eftpos.
There is a great door prize on offer, with a tyre voucher of $1000 kindly donated by Bridgestone Select Andersons Bay Road, and this will be drawn at 3.30pm with the winner being notified later in the day if not on site.
Each year a charity or organisation is nominated to receive a portion of the funds raised, and this year it’s the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust.
If you are feeling hungry there will be plenty of hot and cold food and drinks, along with a barbecue available and a dining area to rest up in.
The organisers would like to thank the Dunedin Petanque Club for running the ticket sales, and also Blair, Iain, and their team of staff at the Edgar Centre for the massive amount of preparation they do for the show.
Sims Brake Services Ltd Dunedin
Autospectacular: 9am4pm Saturday, September 10. Edgar Centre, Dunedin.